Rapids Unveil "Edson the Eagle"!

COMMERCE CITY CO (ColoradoRapids.com) – The Colorado Rapids unveiled the club’s newest mascot Edson the Eagle at the team's annual 4th of July match.

Edson will be one of four new mascots for the club who will be unveiled periodically over the upcoming months. Each new mascot will be an animal naturally found in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge which is adjacent to the Dick's Sporting Goods Park complex.

The Rapids kicked off the new tradition in their mascot department on Independence Day with their newest mascot being the symbol of the USA the American bald eagle. Adding to the importance of honoring this sacred bird is the fact that just this week the bald eagle has been taken off the endangered species list for the first time in 40 years!

The Rapids chose Edson because he symbolizes courage freedom spirit and the pursuit of excellence. His official birthdate is July 4 and he was released in front of the Rapids' faithful after being delivered to the stadium in an official van straight from the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge.

RapidMan the club’s former mascot made the 4th of July his official retirement date. After being part of the club since the team's inception in 1996 RapidMan announced plans to pursue other ventures.

The Rapids held a Testimonial Match in RapidMan's honor at halftime of the Rapids' July 4 game. In the soccer world it is traditional to hold a testimonial match in recognizance of a player who gives 10 years or more of service to his club and as RapidMan had served the Rapids organization for 12 seasons the Rapids invited in several of RapidMan's fellow mascots from around Denver and the world to participate in the game.

A special video was also shown in-stadium at the July 4th match depicting RapidMan auditioning for various other jobs including lifeguarding at Elitch Gardens’ Water Park cleaning up at The Denver Aquarium and performing with the Blue Man Group in Las Vegas.